South Parkco-creator Trey Parker shares a sarcastic apology over the show taking shots at President Donald Trump atSan Diego Comic-Con. Now streaming on Paramount+,South Parkseason 27, episode 1, “Sermon on the ‘Mount” directly takes aim at President Trump by repeatedly depicting him with tiny genitals, comparing him to Saddam Hussein, showing him in a relationship with Satan, and an AI-generated nude version of the President wandering through the desert.
At SDCC, in whichScreenRantwas in attendance, Parker shared an apology in response to theSouth Parkpremiere. At a Comedy Central panel for Adult Animation,Parker responded to the controversial episode by joking, “We’re terribly sorry.”
What This Means For South Park
The Show Is Not Afraid Of Controversy
South Parkhas returned after a two-year hiatus and public legal battles. The streaming rights forSouth Parkwere in negotiations with Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount beforeSouth Parkmade a $1.5 billiondeal for the next 5 years with Paramount+. With Paramount+ now housing all previousSouth Parkepisodes, the agreement over the next half-decade will result in 10 episodes per year.
In a statement made toRolling Stone, the White House responded to the episode, saying that liberals are being hypocritical by formerly thinkingSouth Parkhad offensive content but are now praising the episode attacking the President. The statement also says that comedy is no longer relevant and that the episode was a “desperate attempt for attention.” Read the statement below:
The Left’s hypocrisy truly has no end — for years they have come after South Park for what they labeled as ‘offense’ [sic] content, but suddenly they are praising the show. Just like the creators of South Park, the Left has no authentic or original content, which is why their popularity continues to hit record lows. This show hasn’t been relevant for over 20 years and is hanging on by a thread with uninspired ideas in a desperate attempt for attention. President Trump has delivered on more promises in just six months than any other president in our country’s history — and no fourth-rate show can derail President Trump’s hot streak.
The series is clearly not afraid of repercussions. Cartman notes in the episode that the President can’t cancel a show and also mocks Trump for being very litigious.South Parkalso makes fun of its parent company for its merger with Skydance and thecancellation ofThe Late Show with Stephen Colbert, which the show implies was not axed for purely financial reasons.
Our Take On Parker’s “Apology”
It’s Perfectly In Line With The Show
Parker’s apology matches the tone of the episode. “Sermon on the ‘Mount” doesn’t pull any punches when satirizing the President, so a real apology was never expected. Despite the White House consideringSouth Parka “fourth-rate show,“it clearly isn’t going anywhere after the massive streaming deal was reached.
There is a growing concern that many media corporations are fearful that the President may come after them in court or on social media if they are critical of him. However, after a lengthy break in between seasons,South Parkreturned with a statement that they are not afraid to tackle any subject.
South Park
Cast
South Park follows the irreverent misadventures of four grade-schoolers—Stan, Kyle, Cartman, and Kenny—that take place in the quiet, dysfunctional town of South Park, Colorado. The animated series explores various social and political issues through its characters’ humorous and often absurd escapades.
